Ep 6. Wild At Heart

In Buffy The Vampire Slayer season 4 episode 6, entitled "Wild At Heart," the focus shifts to Oz, the werewolf boyfriend of Willow. Ever since he became a werewolf, Oz has struggled to control his animal instinct and has done his best to avoid putting others in danger. However, when a member of his werewolf pack is found murdered and suspicion immediately falls on him, Oz starts to wonder if he is capable of killing in wolf form.

The theme of the episode is the idea of suppressing one's true nature, and this is explored both through Oz's storyline and through a subplot involving Buffy's complicated relationship with her college professor, the demon-hunter Riley Finn. As the episode progresses, both characters find themselves struggling to stay true to themselves while also keeping their loved ones safe.

The episode begins with Oz spending time with his werewolf mentor, Veruca, who teaches him about the importance of embracing his wild side. Meanwhile, Buffy and Riley are secretly continuing their affair, despite the fact that Riley is technically Buffy's teacher and also an undercover operative for a secret military organization. Both characters are keeping secrets and struggling to balance their duty with their personal desires.

As the plot unfolds, Oz grows increasingly restless and eventually transforms into his werewolf form. He is surprised to discover that Veruca is also a werewolf, and the two of them end up having sex in wolf form. Though this is a betrayal of his relationship with Willow, Oz is drawn to Veruca and the freedom she represents.

Meanwhile, Buffy and Riley are tasked with tracking down a group of demons that have been stealing body parts from the morgue. As they work together, they start to realize that they have different approaches to combatting evil, with Riley being more willing to use violence and Buffy preferring to find non-lethal solutions. This tension comes to a head when they discover that one of the demon's victims is still alive.

Eventually, the two storylines intersect when Veruca is revealed to be the one responsible for the murder of Oz's pack mate. She had been manipulating him all along and using him to get close to his friends. In a dramatic final showdown, Buffy and Oz team up to defeat Veruca and save Willow from her clutches.

The episode ends with Oz deciding to leave Sunnydale in order to get a better handle on his werewolf nature. He tells Willow that he still loves her but needs time to figure things out. Meanwhile, Buffy and Riley's relationship also comes to a crashing halt when Buffy discovers the truth about his secret organization and their brutal tactics.

"Wild At Heart" is a powerful episode that explores complex themes of identity, betrayal, and desire. It is also notable for being one of the few episodes of the series where the focus is on a supporting character rather than Buffy herself. While it may not be the most action-packed episode, it is an important one in terms of character development and plot progression. Fans of the show will find plenty to enjoy in this thrilling and emotionally charged chapter of the Buffy mythology.